SEOUL—North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un on Friday ordered missile units to prepare to strike US mainland and military bases, vowing to “settle accounts” after US stealth bombers flew over South Korea.

The order came as US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, with tensions soaring on the Korean peninsula, said Washington would not be cowed by Pyongyang’s bellicose threats and stood ready to respond to “any eventuality”.

Kim directed his rocket units on standby at an overnight emergency meeting with top army commanders, hours after nuclear-capable US B-2 stealth bombers were deployed in ongoing US joint military drills with South Korea.

In the event of any “reckless” US provocation, North Korean forces should “mercilessly strike the US mainland… military bases in the Pacific, including Hawaii and Guam, and those in South Korea,” he was quoted as saying by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

While North Korea has no proven ability to conduct such strikes, Kim said: “The time has come to settle accounts with the US imperialists.”

The youthful leader argued that the stealth bomber flights went beyond a simple demonstration of force and amounted to a US “ultimatum that they will ignite a nuclear war at any cost”.

A South Korean military official quoted by Yonhap news agency said a “sharp increase” in personnel and vehicle movement had been detected at the North’s mid- and long-range missile sites.

The defense ministry declined to confirm the report, saying only that all strategic sites in the North were under intense South Korean and US surveillance.

The B-2 flights, which followed training runs by B-52 bombers, were part of annual drills between the United States and South Korea, which North Korea each year denounces as rehearsals for war.

Pyongyang has been particularly vocal this time, angered by UN sanctions imposed after its long-range rocket launch in December and the third nuclear test it carried out last month.

Kim’s order formalised steps already taken by the Korean People’s Army (KPA), which put its strategic rocket units at combat-ready status on Tuesday. The following day it cut the last remaining military hotline with South Korea.

The bulk of the threats emanating from Pyongyang have been dismissed as bluster. North Korea has no confirmed missile capability to reach the US mainland — or indeed Guam or Hawaii in the Pacific.

But Washington has opted to match the threats with its own muscle-flexing.

“We will be prepared — we have to be prepared — to deal with any eventuality,” Hagel told reporters at the Pentagon.

“We must make clear that these provocations by the North are taken by us very seriously and we’ll respond to that,” Hagel said, defending the B-2 deployment.

US military intelligence has noted that the North’s warlike rhetoric has not, so far, been matched by any overtly provocative troop build-up.

Present at the emergency meeting convened by Kim in Pyongyang were the KPA chief of general staff, director of operations and commander of strategic rocket operations.

KCNA provided an unusually precise timing for the meeting of 00:30 a.m. (1530 GMT Thursday) in an apparent effort to underline the urgency and import of Kim’s order.

But analysts warned against reading too much into what is the latest in a long series of incremental rhetorical upgrades.

“It shouldn’t be taken to mean war is imminent,” said Kim Yong-Hyun, a North Korea expert at Dongguk University.

“It’s an inevitable and calibrated reaction to the B-2 deployment, and this who-blinks-first game with the United States will continue for a while yet,” he said.

The North’s official Uriminzokkiri website posted an animated propaganda video showing a North Korean missile shooting down a US B-52 bomber which then crashes on South Korea with its nuclear payload that detonates on impact.

“It’s not a nuclear umbrella, but nuclear rain that the US will pour down on the South,” read an accompanying caption.

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ztefertilizerscam10

Lets get ready to rumble!!!!

koolkid_inthehouse

Kim Jung-Un doctors should tell him to sop licking those hallucinating toad’s skin. He’s also the quality control of shabu factory in North Korea the North Korean diplomats are smuggling to other countries.
He must also stop pot sessions with Dennis Rodman.

Noel

The young Kim is inexperienced and impulsive. That’s dangerous. He may make decisions that the world shall regret.

mamer2

On the other-hand…, this pseudo-leader Kim may have a “coup” on his back in a very short period of time..!

Noel

Very unlikely. Most of the high ranking military officials and Generals are loyal to the Kim family. If there would be a coup, it would be instigated by the US but it would fail. The coup plotters would be executed immediately in public.

buttones

I doubt it also. If any sort of revolution might occur, it might come from not the 1.2 million in the army but the 20 million or so that are not- a sort of a peasant uprising? It’s happened before, and if so many have nothing left to lose, not even hope. That takes a leader of course, someone as ruthless as this boy Kim, and it take backing- from some other nation, foreign countries are openly supporting Syrian rebels, as they did Libyan ones as well will they ever to that for NK? The disparity between NK and the south is amazing, they are the same people but after 1953 the South became a very powerful, respected industrial nation and the North just regressed to the Middle Ages. A unified Korea would be one hell of a country- wow! Remember East Germany and West? Maybe China don’t want a unified Korea? That would be an economic threat.

Noel

The US and the West want to have a divided Korea for obvious reason. However, history tells us that no nation lasts forever meaning no leader could last forever. The Fall of the Roman Empire is one. At the end of the day, it’s the stomach that dictates one’s action. If the poor peasants have nothing to eat and that they’re being sympathized by young military officers, then a revolution may still happen. But it would be very bloody. The fear is that the Koreans have family ties on both sides. They’re worried about their family members too.

buttones

Sorry to appear a bit naïve Noel but I can’t quite see how
having a divided Korea helps the west. Yes it’s true, nations fall, always have done, I mean just look at the Spanish empire, and even the British although they organized themselves a bit better, and their ‘defeat’ still places then number seven in the world. On the
subject of the primordial requirements of everybody- food, shelter, clothing in that order, [forgetting the other one; sex] the failure of the first has led to many a revolution. The French Revolution was born out of not some ideology of Liberté, égalité, fraternité, it was because people didn’t have enough to eat, not even cake.! The rest followed. Yes I can imagine a concern of family on both sides,
and if an uprising did occur, it would be bloody, but many a great nation was formed out of awful bloodshed, US for one, and in NK I wonder what would be the tipping point that would drive 20 million people to just simply say ‘we have had enough, and we are not going to take this anymore?’

Noel

You’re not naive at all. In fact, you got a point too. The reason why I said the West wanted a divided Korea was to make sure that South Korea would continue to be dependent on US or the West. If there’s a united Korea, then this country would be less dependent on US for military support. The US military aid to another country is often tied with something in return. Let’s look at another example. Why does US prefer that third world countries like the Phl continue to be poor? It’s for the US’s own advantage. The US buys raw materials from the Phl at a very low price. Sell the finished products back to the Phl at a very high price in huge profit. See my point? If a country is wealthy, she doesn’t need that much help from a rich country. The country could negotiate trade and business in equal stage. If a country is economically strong,it follows that she’s military capable of defending herself since she could afford to buy military weapons and hardware. Also, the usual “divide and conquer” approach has proven to be a very effective way of controlling a nation by another nation.

$26791673

That is the problem…you have a drug-crazed, mentally retarded leader who has his hands on weapons of mass destruction and a military force willing to follow his wishes. Maraming mamamatay sa katarantaduhan nitong si Kim.

mamer2

On the other-hand…, this pseudo-leader Kim may have a “coup” on his back in a very short period of time (before he could shout “Geronimo”)

Maldi2

North Korea’s leader rhetorics is very much similar to that of Panot’s bashing of GMA whenever threatened, or whenever his governance is in question, LOL! Dapat pagasamahin ang dalawang leader na ito! Mga hunghang!

HA…HA..HA…HA..you’re kidding right???? You didn’t see the Photoshopped pix of their last test??? They had to straighten the missile because it didn’t even get to go fly for more than 20 feet…ha..ha..ha…

Crazy_horse101010

i would be more worried they might hit the phippines by mistake. if it went that far

brando alejandro

North Korea dislikes countries that have connection with her estranged South sister. Starving people pushed to hardships even more by their leader. What a pity.

XY ZEE

gutom lang yan.

patriotic_act

war is a catalyst for change.. if it happens let it happen

levis2012

It is the gravest tragedy of North Korea having an inexperienced and stupid leader.. young, aggressive but very stupid… Kawawang mga North Koreans!

Beguine

Can’t wait to see North Korea wiped off the face of the earth,
preferably with their hilarious stupid leader as the first casualty.

tarikan

The Dear & Fat Leader: Hear me out people. We are dying of starvation anyway so we’d rather go for it. My generals, my loyal starving people and I will soon see Papa and Grandpa. Let the war begins. Bye-bye world.

Lapu Lapu

This fat boy is said to be a play station war game addict. What a tragedy!
He should know that his people are hungry. NK population has suffered enough.
If this is the way the axis of evil regime has to be eliminated, so be it.

China is always on North Koreas side thats why it is acting like a spoiled brat.

halfpunk

same as usa is always with phils thats os why we are forever the oppressed..

disqus_WIkXYUshrh

After all, General Mac Arthur was right when he recommended bombing Nokor, as in Japan with A-bomb some 60 years or so ago. Sana’y wala na ang gulong ganito.

guest

China is to be blamed for this. If they have not been supporting North Korea for a long time this would not be happening. North Korea would have collapse a long time if not for the support of communist China.

Noel

But we notice that China is now drifting away a little bit from Nokor. China realizes that relationship with US has become more important than Nokor in terms of trades and economy. China’s only using Nokor as a bluffer or leverage in her negotiation with the West.

Be Nice

Israel is to U.S.A. as North Korea is to China.

mamer2

The comparison is VERY INSULTING to the Israelis and the Americans.

buttones

Sorry- disagree- in NO way is this the same thing, absolutely not.

Karabukov

China does not want a humanitarian problem of North Korean people surging on its borders for any reason. The Chinese will prop up the regime for as long as necessary and convenient.

Chicken Little is at it again. Grow up little boy. Try to be a man. That is my challenge to you.

$42337655

Jr. might just be trying to prove that. Acting tough so that his entourage of NK Generals will show him respect.

he probably feels inadequate (no high heels though) that he has to resort to these antics.

China has a lot to lose if this guy messes things up (which is doubtful anyway) and China will do backroom deals just to shut this guy up. But they will still use this guy in one way or another.

NK is another China’s threat of chaos that China uses to get concessions from the West.

judefawley

It will be the biggest mistake of North Korea to strike the US. They just give the US reason to invade them.

jerich masiba

and it will be the downfall of KIM dynasty,hehehe

mamer2

And of Red-China.
The Down-Fall of Red-China as a Dominant Economic Force &
DownFall of any type of her force…, military, naval & others.

mamer2

What does Kim Jong-Un think this is…,
a neighborhood gang-war..?

Noel

The Phl also has rockets and in fact she fires these every New Year’s Eve.

mamer2

If Red China thinks “they’re not involved” in this new North Korea Grim-Scenario…,
they, Red China, have another “thinking” coming.

mamer2

People that are always doing “stand-by” are next to being un-productive.
NoKor Nuclear-Rockets that are being put on “stand-by” are next to useless

indiosbravos2002

Bunch of paranoid hicks. North Korea is a rogue state and China’s lapdog. However, recent behavior of North Korea suggest that China’s hold might not be as tight as everyone thinks. An escalation of war is bad news for everyone, including China and the US. Aside from border security, what is it that China gains from its relations with North Korea.

WoBushi

Nokor unwittingly puts up a casus belli for a US war in the Pacific, and for China to readjust her growing appetite for power in the region. China however may find herself a little sluggish to maneuver because of pride and greed that has evolved at the top.

Ignore; not worth reading it’s just usual propaganda to get media attention. Their young leader doesn’t even know how to wash or cook how much more going to war? North Korea is a big joke. Their leader will be just like Saddam Hussein if war broke out against USA…. chicken!

Propaganda is coming from both sides (US/SoKor and NoKor). Until one of them blinks or pulls the trigger, it’s hard to see if war will ever come about. North Korea can at least manufacture their own weapons and missiles inspite of the economic sanctions. This makes them a credible threat, so to underestimate them or their leader will be a big mistake.

doublecross

the sanctity of NK in making the nuclear arsenal is a right of every country, not for armament use. how the US assess this one?
US the imperialist against the developing country….

Crazy_horse101010

another commie racists passing on his smarts to the world

Karabukov

Kim Jung Un is new, young and untested. He is surrounded by a military whose loyalty to him is not yet firmly established. He must have a core group of advisers that is a holdover from his father’s regime. There is a choreography going on where he has to show a posture that indicates that he will not veer away from the regime’s established rules. He has a legitimacy to the country’s military and his people that is as yet unquestioned. He wants to show that he is a worthy successor. Question is, is he reckless?

Shoot this arrogant North Korean Lunatic.
The Chinese are behind him. China launched a cyber attack to South Korea. And now
China is starting to increase the tension in the disputed islets with Vietnam, Japan and the Philippines. A clear divisional tactics, distracting everyone, while China grabbed the islands for their selfish means. Can’t the US see this coming?

jpastor

Burn this moooroon arse like a roasted pig. He looks so healthy but his brain is sick. He could be taking meals every hour but his people are starving to death. He continuously build weapons against who? But guess who still support his lunatic ideals— China off course.

Poor Fat Boy, no more darak for you. He can bluff all he wants but darak won’t be coming to his table. Hahahaha

tagahuron

there is only one thing i can say to this fat Kim – buang!

isidro c. valencia

It is sad and bad to imagine North Korea will be phased out in the world map.
I pray Kim Jong-Un should consider world peace to save mankind.

Jack Bw

What a douche he turned out to be. This is what happens when your “supreme leader” has no qualification to lead other than being the grandson of the “eternal president”. Just look at him; he looks like a guy that everybody slapped in school.

ever green

Maybe James Bond can help……

$18209031

It is now time for the Spring Games of the 2nd Korean War Olympiad !! Hala mga Kuryanders of north and south Koreas, time to kill each other after 60 yrs of relative peace. May you practice hitting each other with artillery fires , rockets and bombs.

Korean War Olympics is being held every 60 yrs, alright !! No one won last time in 1953, so the bets are off this time. More modern arms and techs and more preparation s on each side . Let the Korean War Olympiad begins !

okabato

North Korea is just a testing ground for China. The chinese knows that the the americans will not act arbitrarily as long as NK will not fire the first shot. The chinese knows that the US always toe the line when it comes to retaliation, you mess with us suffer the consequence.

noelpogi

All talk, Let’s get it on, so we can see!

white scorpion

this north korean chief should stop barking. us is not interested (KSP) in you. us is working with the south. its embarassing that it’s only you who kept on injecting yourself. haven’t you see nobody is paying attention in you. i guess you haven’t seen what does an explosion look like. mind your citizen first before you talk tough.